The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-06-02
DECORATION DAY.
SABBATH SERVICES.

SABBATH SERVICES.
Our religious societies united last
Sabbath and held memorial services
at the M. +. church which was beau
tifully decorated with flowers, ever
green's and Post flags. Notwithstan-
ding the day was rainy one the
house was completely filed. Hook
er Post G. A. II. and the w. II. G.
attended in body. The services
were opened with song by
the choir, and the S5th Psalm was
read and prayer offered by Rev. o.
p. Fuller. Rev. w. II. Wight then
delivered memorial discourse from
the words, 81 have fought the good
fight"
The central idea of the discourse was
the essential qualities that fitted the sol
der for victory, whether on the physical
battlefield or in the souls great struggle
against sin and spiritual darkness. These
he classified as self denial, heroism, en-
thusiasm and perseverance. He dessigna-
ted the spiritual conflict as the battlefield
off the soul, There are battles of the hui
man heart of which. the world cannot
know. Bravery and courage are essen
tials in the conflict against sin. Moral
heroism is greater than physical: Peter
had the physical courage to draw his
sword and cut OFF the servants ear but
not the moral courage to face the angry
Jews and acknowledge his Lord and Mas
ter. Many man has faced the lannon's
mouth that had not the courage of his
convictions. "If sinners entice thee"
dare to do right! Dare to be true!
When the officer, after repeated efforts,
made his general understand that he had
taken a fort, was told to go and take a
mother. We are not to be satisfied with
one fort; slavery has been wiped out but
other forts remain to be taken. lnstanc-
ed the enthusiasm that carried the Union
soldier to victory at Missionary Ridge.
So in the spiritual world, we need enthusi- |
asm. Paid a glowing tribute to the w.
r. C. and to woman's self-denial and
struggles, and concluded with an eloquent
exortation to be brave and full of enthu-
siasm in all good works, so that when on |
the verge of life as we look back upon |
those engaged in the strife we can say, |
II have fought the good fight"
THE DAY PROPER.
Monday opened unauspicially it be-
ing misty and rainy, but towards
noon it partially cleared up and the
afternoon was fine. Detachments
from Hooker Post were sent to the
different burying grounds during the
forenoon and all graves of soldiers
decorated. Shortly after noon the
Post and citizens, headed by the
Londonderry Cornet Band, took up
the line of march for the
YEARLY BURYING GROUND
Where appropriate services were held
and the graves of all soldiers deco
rated. Upon the return to the vii
lage impressive services were held on
the vacant grass plot Immediately
south of the Baptist church. Here
an evergreen mound had been erected
surmounted with cross and inscrib-
ed to those who lie in
UNKNOWN GRAVES.
The Grand Army and Woman's Re-
lief Corps formed in large circle
around the mound. The exercises
were opened by music by the choir
and followed by poem, "Cover
them over with beautiful flowers"
handsomely read by Mrs. d. B.
Goddard, after which the members of
the W. r. c., while the band play
ed dirge, decorated the mound with
flowers, and an adjournment made to
the church, which was handsomely
decorated with flowers, flags and
evergreens. The services were open
ed by singing by the choir, followed
by prayer by Rev. D. H. Strong.
Then, after music, by the band Mr..
F. j. Hosmer, of Greenfield, Mass.
was intro duced and delivered point
ed and eloquent address that was
listened to by the large audience
present with rapt attention through
out. The address was out of the
beaten path and without shadow of
craftsmanship Or animosity, but replete
with facts and ideas. An epitome of
Mr.. Hosmer's remarks would be UNI
satisfactory, so we defer any report
of it until next week when we hope
to give full synopsis.
Taken all together the exercises
were of deep interest and passed off
pleasantly without jar or friction.
The Londonderry Cornet Band adj
ded largely to the pleasures and eff
fectiveness of the various exercises.
Vermont News.